Springtime for Stroudsburg and Living Room

As the increased amount of sunlight and an abundance of warmer temperatures filled the souls of all who sought a respite from the chilled atmosphere that gripped a nation to the point of hyperbole, the Living Room Gallery in Stroudsburg, PA held an Artists’ Reception on Saturday April 6th featuring work of Amy Knopf, Gerald Kielpinski, Marty Klotz, and Joe Trovato. A wide variety of styles and artistic approaches greeted the large number of art lovers who have come to claim the gallery as their home and eagerly sought to embrace it now that the Spring season has emerged from its wintry depths. The correlation between the April’s opening of the Living Room’s exhibition and the commencement of the season were clear to the many who found the renewing aspect of both phenomena an intricate part of their lives as the seemingly identical energies transformed them from the sluggish caterpillars they have become while experiencing cabin fever to butterflies free to flurry about so they may discover all the wonderful things they may have forgotten.

The magical properties of these transforming energies were alluded to as the entertainment for the reception began to perform. It began with Magician Mark Mysterrio took the stage, along with his assistant Byanca Torres, to dazzle and delight the audience with his deftly presented illusions. However, as enjoyable Mr. Mysterrio’s performance was, its magical qualities was surpassed by those embodied in the laughter of the children whose transformative qualities never fail to touch an adult’s heart. It reminds us what every newborn babe discovers during its first moments of life. Whenever we open our eyes to see someone who loves us, that is magic.

More of the transformative effects of Spring was felt as The Juggernaut String Band, consisting of Peter Taney on Banjo and Fiddle, Cat Burbage on Drums, and Dave Larrison on Bass, took their place behind the microphones. Together, the trio enlivened the audience with their renditions of zydeco and world music melodies whose rhythms and tempo set the heart, mind, soul, and body to dancing; guarantee. The combination of the dance and laughter overwhelmed the venue as its denizens fluttered freely about while joining together in a display so colorful it would put the most audacious lepidopteron to shame. Hot damn.

In addition to the magic and music presented to honor the artists featuring in the April exhibition, the local humanitarian organization, The Animal Welfare Society of Monroe (AWSOM), were present to share the fruits of their labors which derives from its desire to care for abandoned and mistreated animals who are rescued from their tormented situations.  The group offered many who attended the reception an opportunity to expand their household to include a pet in need of a home. It’s uncertain how many partook of this offer but there were many eyes that were opened by the love manifested in the animals who visited the gallery to experience a communication generated deep within the heart. These unspoken words filled the air as the unheard voice transcending the verbal boundaries between species was simply understood.

Yet, as profound the experiences orbiting the Artists’ Reception held at The Living Room were, it was the work that inhabited its center that provided an even deeper experience for those who entered the gallery. The images and their penetrating themes created a stationary space from which one could take their time to thoroughly explore the intricate meanings of not only their lives but life itself. As mentioned earlier, a variety of styles and artistic approaches were utilized to provide such a space to great effect.

The images found in the pen and ink drawings and other media created by Amy Knopf entices the viewer to explore them more deeply as the deceptive simplicity found in each piece’s sharp lines becomes blurred by the meanings they contain. Just as those who have experienced her poetic work during the Living Room’s Sunday evening Open Mic Nites often discovers, there is much more that is there than what seems to be there. Both her literary and visual work burrows a hole into the commonplace of existence in order to create a new home that is more sustainable.

While the seriousness of looking into one’s depth is implied in Ms. Knopf’s work, there is more of a sense of joy and play in the digital paintings of Gerald Kielpinski. I’ve been told the work was created by the artist who utilized a program to draw the images on his computer, printed them out, and, like a child and his coloring book, painted them. To me, that’s fun. And, this sense of fun is demonstrated through the animated imagery and the depictions that are viewed.

This sense of enjoyment was also embodied in the abstract works created by Joe Trovato. Those who viewed the work were taken upon journeys as the primitive styling found in many of the pieces beckoned them on. Those who sought to recover from their more sophisticated perspective of what they think life should be soon rediscovered a renewed passion for what it can be.

In what seemed like a stark contrast in the exhibition, the photographic work of Marty Klotz filled the walls with their clarity of bright and glorious hues depicting a variety of urban and rural landscapes, people, and animals. The marvelous images presented in his pictorials brought a smile of recognition to some while creating a healthy desire to explore the scenes depicted in some of the photographs in person. Although Mr. Klotz’s work differed in appearance from his comrades, the quality of his photographic offerings proved to be not only consistent with the entirety of the exhibit but enhanced it.

All in all, the Artists’ Reception for The Living Room Gallery’s April show was a fun experience. It continued the venue’s tradition of honoring the entire artistic community by unconditionally welcoming its members to share their talents with a general public who is eager to partake of their creativity. During the reception, the exhibition’s organizer, Shane Izykowski, took to the stage in order to share news of what the gallery and other groups who share its vision are offering local artists beyond the walls of the venue. His words were met with smiles of anticipation by artists and viewers alike. You’ll be able to find more photograph taken during the April Artists’ Reception in The Living Room 2013 Part 2 Gallery at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151501176525421.545088.636000420&type=1.

The Living Room Gallery’s April exhibition featuring the work of Amy Knopf, Gerald Kielpinski, Marty Klotz, and Joe Trovato will continue to be displayed until March 30th until April 30th. The next exhibit will be a group show in which local artists are invited to participate. The theme for the exhibit is “The Human Form” and may entail any interpretation of the phrase the artist deems relevant. The Artists’ Reception will take place Saturday May 4th from 6pm until 10pm and will feature Nude Body Painting, music by The Current (formerly Dream of Fire), a Fashion Show, and a Drag Show. The exhibition will be on display at The Living Room Gallery until May 30th. The date designated for artists to drop off their work is Friday May3rd.

The Animal Welfare Society of Monroe (AWSOM) is made up of Monroe County, PA volunteers who seek to accommodate stray, homeless, neglected, or abused animals throughout the area. It’s shelter takes in all companion animals and has an adoption program designed to provide pets to loving families. To learn more about The Animal Welfare Society of Monroe (AWSOM) and all it offers to the community, please explore their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/AWSOMANIMALS?fref=ts for more information.

Magician Mark Mysterrio has been performing magic throughout Monroe County, PA as well as surrounding areas for a number of years. Many have seen him in schools, parks, festivals, and everywhere people who would like to experience some magic in their lives gather. You can learn more about Mark Mysterrio by exploring his website at www.ultimatemagicshows.com or his Page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Mark-Mysterrio-Fan-site/214042991493.

The Juggernaut String Band presents a variety of bluegrass, Cajun, Irish, and Mardi Gras music which includes many original compositions written by Pete Taney. The band has performed in major festivals and has participated in programs which adapt music for the handicapped. To learn more information about The Juggernaut String Band, please explore their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/JuggernautStringBand for more information.

The Living Room is located on Main Street in Stroudsburg, PA next to The Sherman Theater who owns the building. The Art Gallery is organized by members of The Living Room Art  committee. Please Explore The Living Room Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/The-Living-Room/123978921059378 for more information about the venue, what it offers to the community, and how to participate and become involved with the art related work it does.

In addition to their exhibitions, The Living Room presents a weekly Open Mic Nites occurs every Sunday Evening beginning at 6pm which Musicians, Poets, Writers, and anyone who would like to share their talents with an eagerly accepting audience are welcomed to participate. There is also a featured band scheduled each week that enhances the enjoyment of the event. You can learn more about The Living Room Open Mic Nite Series at it’s Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/OpenMicAtTheLivingRoom?ref=ts&fref=ts.